Indonesian protests target wildfires and polluted air

Protests have taken place in Jakarta and other Indonesian cities over wildfires and the smoke that has worsened air quality, with demonstrators accusing President Prabowo Subianto’s government of corruption and incompetence. [1]

Student groups called for the protests. Demonstrators pointed to what they described as the authorities’ failure to put out the fires, carrying banners demanding clean air and urgent action. [1]

Fires have affected large areas of Borneo and Sumatra since July, while smoke has caused problems in neighbouring countries. Monitoring platform Nusantara Atlas estimates that more than 1.9 million hectares were affected in the first nine months of the year — slightly less than the Netherlands’ 4.2 million hectares. [1]

Hundreds of thousands of people have developed respiratory problems in recent months, according to the report. [1]